50 things to do in Metro Vancouver this B.C. Day long weekend

Enjoy three fun-filled days this B.C. Day long weekend. Our list of events features a jam-packed selection of both indoor and outdoor things to do, including music and arts festivals, multicultural celebrations, stage performances, concerts, outdoor explorations, markets, film screenings and more. Pack a picnic, grab the kids, gather up some friends and head out and enjoy our Civic holiday.

Playland at the PNE The return of Vancouver’s most thrilling rides, the sweet smell of mini donuts, and a summer’s worth of fun for the whole family. More than thirty rides, including one of the world’s fastest rides, the Revelation and the heart-stopping Hellevator, are all back and you are sure to have an electrifying experience. Be sure to take a ride on one of the classics – the sixty-year-old wooden rollercoaster, the 360˚ looping of Hells Gate, and the Flume’s 40-foot plummet. • Hastings Park, 2901 E. Hastings St. • Open daily, gates open at 10 a.m., pne.ca

Wooden Boat Rendezvous Walk Britannia’s docks and learn about these historic vessels’ contributions to B.C.’s coastal communities and the environment. Celebrate more than 100 years of B.C.’s coastal heritage by boarding the B.C. Ex-Forest Service Vessel Squadron and meeting their owners. Visit the Steveston Maritime Modellers inside the Seine Net Loft and see how they bring history to life through their hand crafted model ships. • Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, 5180 Westwater Dr., Steveston • Aug. 4 and 5, noon-4 p.m. • Free, 604-238-8050, richmond.ca

History is brought to life through hand crafted model ships.getty images

Prospera Movies Under the Stars Bring the family and take in a free flick on a three-storey high big screen. The movie is on us, but since this night is about families, we will be taking donations on behalf of a local charity. On August 4th enjoy a screening of Ferdinand – the story of a peace-loving bull who is mistaken for a dangerous beast. • Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Rd., Surrey. The movie starts at dusk. • Free, prospera.ca/Community

Civic Plaza Family Movie Nights Family Movie Nights in the Plaza are a summer tradition in the City of North Vancouver, bringing 100’s of families together to enjoy an outdoor summer movie experience and an evening of free family fun. Before the movie begins there’s lots of family-friendly activities, piano sing-alongs, face painting and entertainment. Arrive early and bring your own chair or blanket. This week features a screening of the computer-animated fantasy film, Coco. • Aug. 3, 14th and Lonsdale, North Van • cnv.org

OH! Tangible Interaction are teaming up with Science World again this summer to bring OH! back to Olympic Village. This free interactive art installation allows participants to control Vancouver’s night skyline by changing the lights on Science World. The scale model of the geodesic dome is covered with 240 sensors and LEDs and can sense the movement of people’s hands, altering the lights on the iconic building in real time. • 1 Athletes Way, across from Tap & Barrel in Olympic Village • Aug. 3, 9:30-11:30 p.m. • Free, tangibleinteraction.com

OH! Interactive Art Installation at Olympic Village allows visitors to control the lights on the iconic Science World dome.PNG

Grouse Mountain Summer Fun Fun-filled summer days return to Grouse Mountain with a variety of activities including the World Famous Lumberjack Show, the awe-inspiring Birds in Motion Demonstration, thrilling five-line Mountain Zipline Adventures, and scenic helicopter tours above the North Shore Mountains. • grousemountain.com

Fridays on Front This family-friendly community experience features artisan vendors from New West Craft, live music and some favourite food trucks from the Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest. • 600-block of Front Street, New West • Fridays until Aug. 24, 5-9 p.m. • Free, downtownnewwest.ca

The Science Behind Pixar Science World’s new interactive exhibition showcases the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts used by the artists and computer scientists who help bring Pixar’s award-winning films to the big screen. Featuring more than 40 interactive elements, the exhibition is broken into eight sections, each focusing on a step of the filmmaking process. Visitors of all ages will engage in and learn about the filmmaking process through interactive elements and hands-on activities. • Telus World of Science, 1455 Quebec St. • Open daily, scienceworld.ca

Characters from the movies Monsters Inc. and Toy Story are seen at the Pixar animation exhibition at Science World.DARRYL DYCK /
THE CANADIAN PRESS

Check out the demolition derby at this year’s Agrifair.Submitted photo/courtesy of Tanis Sullivan Communications

Rockin’ River Music Fest This annual country music festival features country music chart-toppers Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Dallas Smith and Joe Nichols plus more than 30 other acts performing across multiple stages including Dustin Lynch, Luke Combs, Midland, Chris Janson and many more. • Merritt, B.C. • Aug. 2-5, rockinriverfest.com

Anirevo: Summer 2018 Celebrate anime and Japanese pop culture in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Join us this summer for our 7th year as we bring you even more amazing surprises and boatloads of memories! Highlights include cosplay, voice actors, panels and the Exhibitor’s Hall. • Vancouver Convention Centre • Aug. 3-5, summer.animerevolution.ca

The Vancouver Pride Parade celebrates its 40th anniversary.DARRYL DYCK /
THE CANADIAN PRESS

Tsawwasen Sun Festival A three-day celebration of fun in the sun, jam packed with special events, games, friendly competitions and many other attractions. There’s antique hunting and skateboarding at the South Delta Recreation Centre and Bingo at KinVillage, while the bulk of the events take place at Winskill Park. The pride of the Sun Festival is the annual Rotary Parade which heads down 56th Street from 16th Avenue to Winskill Park. • Aug. 3-6, sunfestival.ca

Brigade Days Celebrate B.C. Day at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. Explore the encampment of Hudson’s Bay Company workers, Indigenous traders, Royal Engineers, re-enactors dressed in period costume, Metis trappers and more as they swap stories, play music, and show off traditional skills. Don’t miss the Arrival of the Fur Brigades canoe re-enactment by the river at 1 p.m. on Aug. 6. • Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Ave.• Aug. 4-6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • $7.80, $6.55, free for youth 17 and under, 604-513-4777, pc.gc.ca

The Powell Street Festival The largest Japanese Canadian festival in the country returns for its 42nd year. This year’s lineup of performers features a wide variety of local and international talent. Enjoy stage performances, music, visual art exhibits, literary events, interactive installations, children’s activities, a craft market, martial arts demonstrations, amateur sumo tournament, historical walking tours, tea ceremonies, ikebana and bonsai demonstrations, and delicious Japanese cuisine from more than 20 food vendors. • Oppenheimer Park and surrounding areas, 400 block of Powell St. • Aug. 4 and 5, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily • Free, powellstreetfestival.com

The Powell Street Festival returns for its 42nd year.Submitted photo/courtesy of Owen Cameron

3rd Annual Vancouver Bach Festival This year’s edition is the largest yet, offering an expanded line-up of concerts featuring guest artists from all over the world. The festival also includes a series of films as complementary pairings with our concerts. • The main venue is Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard St. The festival runs until Aug. 10 • earlymusic.bc.ca

Vancouver Mural Festival The city’s largest annual free public art celebration will bring 30 artists and murals to Mount Pleasant and Strathcona, as well as a week of events including the Mount Pleasant Street Party, markets, live art, concerts, speaker panels and more! • Aug. 6-11 • Free, vanmuralfest.ca/

Celebrate art at the Vancouver Mural Festival.Gerry Kahrmann /
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MARKETS:

Shipyards Night Market Come down for great food, art, music, entertainment and shopping. On the Shipbuilders’ Stage there is live music going until 10 p.m., showcasing talent from all over B.C. The market also includes a Beer Garden featuring local craft beer. • The Shipyards, 138 Victory Ship Way, North Van • Aug. 3, 5-10 p.m. • northshoregreenmarkets.com

Music at the Cannery Join us every Friday for an evening of music. Each week will feature a different musical act, catering to a wide range of musical tastes, from blues, jazz, folk and more. Suitable for all ages. • This week’s show features a performance by Beauty Shop Dolls, a vintage vocal trio with a charming, colourful take on the classic stylings of The Andrew Sisters and The Chordettes. • Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, 12138 Fourth Ave., Steveston • Aug. 3, 6:30 p.m. • $7 at the door, gulfofgeorgiacannery.org

Mamma Mia! The smash-hit musical based on the songs of ABBA. An island paradise in Greece sets the stage for the ultimate feel-good show. A daughter’s quest to find her biological father before her wedding brings together three men from her mother’s past. Who will walk her down the aisle ? Will she find out before saying I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do? Filled with ABBA hits like Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All, and S.O.S., this uproarious and fun-loving musical will have you dancing in your seat. Presented by the Arts Club Theatre Company. • Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville St. • Held over until Aug. 12 • From $29, 604-687-1644, artsclub.com

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival This annual celebration of the Bard launches its 29th season with a lineup of four exciting play productions and a range of entertaining special events, in the spectacular waterfront setting of Vanier Park. Plays include a powerhouse classical production of Macbeth, directed by Chris Abraham; and the delightful romantic comedy As You Like It, set in Vancouver in the ‘60s, with more than 20 classic Beatles songs performed by the cast. On the Howard Family Stage, it’s Timon of Athens, a provocative study of greed and false friends; and a new adaptation of Lysistrata, the 411 BC play about the first-ever women’s strike. • Vanier Park, 1000 Chestnut St., until Sept. 22 • Tickets start at $24, 604-739-0559, bardonthebeach.org

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) Audiences will have a ball this summer when magic and romance come alive in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and 42nd Street – two song-and-dance filled fables – one a rags-to-riches princess who finds her prince charming, the other of an aspiring theatre star who gets her lucky break on Broadway. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a magical musical of dreams come true and happily ever after, and promises to transport the hearts of children and adults alike with Fairy Godmothers, glass slippers, and the triumph of true love. 42nd Street is Broadway’s big, brassy song and dance extravaganza. The story’s heroine is Peggy Sawyer. Fresh off the bus from small-town America, Peggy is just another face in the chorus line in Broadway’s newest, glitziest show; But when the leading lady gets injured, Peggy might finally get her shot at stardom. • Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park, until Aug. 18 • $30-$49, 604-631-2877, tuts.ca

Mallory James (Ella) in Theatre Under the Stars production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.Lindsay Elliott /
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Once An enchanting guy-meets-girl musical. A Dublin street musician is struggling through heartbreak and frustrated with his songs when he chances upon a girl who challenges him to go for his dream. With a company of actors who all play instruments onstage, this theatrically breathtaking musical is a captivating love song, a foot-stomping melody, and a bittersweet duet. An Arts Club Theatre Company production. • Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston St., held over until Aug. 5 • From $29, 604-687-1644, artsclub.com

6th Annual Summer Repertory Festival The Ensemble Theatre Company presents a trio of exciting, entertaining, and challenging productions. Aaron Sorkin’s A Few Good Men, Ian Rankin’s Dark Road, and Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane are brought to vivid and powerful life by the Ensemble’s talented group of actors, directors, and designers. This selection of three highly entertaining plays from three celebrated writers showcases the humour, intricacies, and depths of the darker recesses of our lives. • Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery St., until Aug. 17 • From $25, ensembletheatrecompany.ca

A Midsummer Night’s Dream The talented teens of Carousel Theatre for Young People’s Teen Shakespeare Program bring one of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays to the stage. This delightful tale about friendships, fairies, mischief and magic is a sure delight for all the family. • Performance Works Outdoor Stage, 1218 Cartwright St., Granville Island, until Aug. 11, Monday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. • Free, premium seating/$6, 604-685-6217, tickets.carouseltheatre.ca

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